An analysis of witchcraft trials and the specificity of legal procedure in Ukrainian lands, followed by an examination of the main quantitative data of the cases, and a survey of the varieties of bewitchment. The ideological background of the tribunals is studied on the basis of works written by priests and theologians, reflecting the attitude of spiritual authorities towards the devil and witches. The main focus of work, however, is the process of shaping witchcraft accusations. Narratives of the participants of the trials tell stories of bewitchment and help shed light on the situation that led people to state their suspicions and later their accusations of witchcraft.

Finally, the micro-history approach is used to study a case from one Volhynian village which helps to compare attitude towards two “female crimes” in Ukrainian courts and to better understand the nature of popular witchcraft beliefs in early modern Ukraine.

About the Author

Kateryna Dysa is Assistant Professor at Kyiv Mohyla Academy, Ukraine.

Reviews

“Fills the existing lacuna in comparative studies of early modern European witchcraft trials”.

— Eva Pocs, University of Pecs, Hungary

Contents Introduction Part 1. Making Ukrainian Witchcraft Trial 1.1. Legal foundations 1.2. The queen of evidence: The Use of Torture and the Figure of Executioner in the Ukrainian Witchcraft Trials 1.3. In the Realm of Gossip: The Role of Everyday Communication in Legal Process 1.4. Adding Spatial, Temporal and Quantitative Dimension Part 2. Ukrainian Orthodox Demonology. Perception of the Devil, Demons and Witches by Learned Elite 2.1. Iconography of the Devil, Demons and Witches 2.2. The Demonic in Sermons and Ukrainian Orthodox Writings 2.3. Specificity of Demonic Possession and Exorcism 2.4. A Pact with the Devil Demonic Images of Neighbours, Opponents and Enemies Part 3. Beyond Witchcraft Trials or the Anatomy of Witchcraft Accusation 3.1. 'Peaceful' Neighbourhood Coexistence 3.2. Family and Witchcraft 3.2.1. Succession of Witchcraft within the Family 3.2.2. Accusations within the Family 3.2.3. Probation by Danger: Family Support 3.3. Rivalry and Bewitchment 3.4. Dangerous Proximity: Master-Servant Relationships 3.4.1. Witchcraft Attack of Master: Trials about Bewitchment of Social Superiors 3.4.2. Demonstration of Loyalty to Master in Witchcraft Cases 3.5. Subtle Love Matters 3.6. Witchcraft and Medicine: Power to Take Away and Return Health 3.7. Bewitchment of Animals, Spoiling Harvests 3.8. Magic Practitioners and Actual Magic Practices 3.8.1. Local Magic Practitioners 3.8.2. Amateur Magic Practices Part 4. The Case of Infanticide and Witchcraft in Szczurowczyky 4.1. Infanticide in Szczurowczyky. Iewka Stanorycha 4.2. A Witchcraft practitioner. Orzyszka Liczmanicha 4.3. Night Flights and Coven. Motra Onyszczycha Tkaczycha, Nastia Dzierycka, Handzia Hurkowska, and Elzbita Zawadska 4.4.Verdicts Conclusions Bibliography Index